It Started With Devils & Artefacts

"Hi" Regular Speech

'Hi' Thought

"(Hi)" Marcus's mechanically synthesised voice

[Hi] Aurora talking

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It didn't take long for Rias to learn that Sona and her peerage received gifts from Marcus Goldman.

The most obvious sign was that they now have extremely advanced phones.

And as one could expect, her curiosity peaked, so she asked.

The problem was… she almost immediately got washed over by jealousy.

Only that, it exploded to the next level when she learned that they also got Sacred Gears! All of them! Sona included! This was the breaking point for Rias who rushed back to Underworld herself to talk to her mother.

"This is not fair! I have been training several times per week! With my peerage! I know my power has increased several times!" Rias said with crossed arms as she huffed and puffed at the injustice.

"You mean your 15% increase in demonic power? Dear, I have a full report on your progress." Venelana said with a sigh. She was starting to feel just as jealous as her daughter. Serafall got a Longinus Class Sacred Gear in the form of a Sailor Moon uniform. If not for Ars Goetia holding the Satan together, Serafall would already be flaunting it to the whole wide world and the Underworld. The most amazing perk was that it's not just a cosplay. It's the real deal with power-ups. 

Marcus even showed them the resistance to holy energy which immediately interested Grayfia and Venelana.

"Umm… What about Sona? What did she do?" Rias immediately realised that talking about her 'achievements' is pointless since her mother most likely already knows.

"Her overall demonic energy increased by 40%; she reincarnated four people in that period. Giving more data to Marcus Goldman. He is more than pleased in learning how energy changes from human to devil kind.

While your readings were neither bad nor too good. Simply okay enough for him to keep you in the project since it doesn't cost him." Venelana said to her daughter while sipping tea in between.

The brown-haired devil lady realised that the contract did not really help. Her daughter wasn't actually trying hard to train. But maybe this will finally make her move her ass.

"I see… so Sona went whole military-style on her peerage," Rias said with a realised look.

"No. She will now, however. As Marcus has decided to move Sona's peerage to a field agent position. He gave them the means to collect sacred gear from Stray Devils and keep them if they want."

The red-haired devil girl's eyes widened. This is far too good!

"I see… this is… so those phones?"

"Exactly. According to Satan Leviathan who bragged to me. Those phones have a points exchange system. They can reclaim items retrofitted by Marcus himself, from gaming consoles to cars, and because it is Marcus, they are a cut above any regular things humans or devils could get. And all they have to do is beat some stray devils and collect samples from them." 

Rias's eyes widened again. Incredible futuristic consoles? She wants one too!

"You know I learned something which would interest you." 

"Umm? What?"

"Serafall herself got a Sailor Moon uniform as a Sacred Gear. It also works as a power-up and if my guess is right she got quite a big power-up." 

"No way… Sailor Moon uniform? With the transformation and everything?"

Venelana nodded at her, before continuing to talk.

"Indeed she got a boost to her family magic with that uniform which also has a Balance Breaker." 

"That's...so cool… mother! Tell me what should I do!?" Rias couldn't control herself and asked with a panicked look. This is so cool and otaku-ish sounding! She wants to be part of this!

*Sigh*

"Rias, you need to be a proper Devil Heiress with a goal in life! How hard is it for you to understand that!? Sona has her dream and she is chasing it as hard as she could. Marcus Goldman being there only made her try to work harder! And she is getting rewarded for it." Venelana said with an eye roll.

Rias bit her lower lip before getting up from her seat.

"You are right! I have to go…" The redhead said in a serious tone before walking towards the doors.

"Good. I hope you start taking this seriously. You don't have much time left." The brown-haired woman said with a knowing look.

For a moment Rias stopped walking. She didn't say anything before continuing to walk out of the living room.

The moment her daughter was gone Venelana started frowning. Not much time was left. In both senses of the word. For Rias's marriage and before the storm, which is her Master, hits the three worlds. Neither Heaven, Earth or Underworld are going to be spared.

'Let's see how you do, Rias. It all depends on you. Even without talking or interacting with you, Marcus has made you work more seriously.'  Venelana thought with narrowed eyes.

~~~~~~Kuoh~~~~~~

Sona sighed to herself. Checking her phone out for a moment.

This thing is so amazing. Not only that but it has Aurora built into it!

The very same A.I that beat her as The Predator and the Red Dragon Emperor. So she was quite bitter about using it. But, she won't be lying to herself. The A.I is super smart and her assistance is already invaluable.

Anyways, she got quite hooked into checking out the list of inventions she could buy from her points…

Points…

[Name: Sona Sitri]

[Occupation: Field Agent]

[Loyalty Points: 23]

Her points were only a few bits though she could buy some clothes from these. Regular clothes, not enchanted ones.

The enchanted ones are, in her eyes, quite powerful. Self-repairing, self-adjusting, damage mitigation, and resistance to specific elements like Holy energy. Which is simply and utterly amazing to her.

Not to mention the paperwork machine! The Signer! It's simply a marvellous piece of work that she will be sure to use once she opens her school!

Speaking of her dream to open the ranking games school… if only she could get Marcus help in designing it and pumping it with his inventions it would be her wet dream coming to reality!

"So-tan~~~ you are dreaming of something naughty! I could even sense it~~~"

Hearing her older sister's voice, she snapped out of her trance and saw Serafall sitting on a couch not far from her.

"Nonsense! I don't do that!" Sona with an embarrassed look snapped at her sister who was in a very good mood.

"Heee~~~ okay~~~ if you say so!" The older Sitri just shook her head in an amused fashion.

"...Is there a reason why you are here sister?" Sona asked, slightly curious and with a bit of anticipation.

After all, the last time her sister was here in the Sitri Estate, she took her and her peerage to Europe where she got her Sacred Gear!

"But, of course!" Serafall jumped out of her seat and pulled out a unique looking pen. Without wasting any time she pressed on it and with a burst of light she transformed…

"..."

"Your big sis is Sailor Winter! A real magic girl!" Serafall did several poses from Sailor Moon and behind her back a pair of wings appeared from pure crystalized ice!

Not only that but Sona could feel a limitless amount of magic rolling from Serafall. She has sensed her sister's power before, and it had never been this high!

"This… what is this!?"

Sona didn't know what to think! It should be an embarrassing cosplay as a magic girl… but-but! This was not a cosplay! This was the real deal!

"This is my Sacred Gear. I got it the next day after you left! Beautiful isn't it!?" Serafall said while spinning and taking some more of the stances from Sailor Moon…

"T-This is… I don't even know what to say…" Sona was out of words, literally…. This was no longer cosplaying… It's not even embarrassing because the uniform looks too good. The material even looks magical!

"When I am wearing this, I am semi-immune to holy energy. Only direct contact on my skin works! I can even say his name without getting hurt!" Serafall said amused as she was clearly enjoying the shocked look on Sona's face.

"I see… this is incredible… still, I am assuming that you didn't come here just to show me that?" Sona said while fixing her glasses, she was trying to hide her jealous look. Yes, she is jealous. The uniform honestly looks amazing. And the power-ups… they make it even better. She can tell that the uniform does more than just protection because she can sense her sister's power going up significantly after the transformation.

'It seems she can't tell me everything about her over the top Sacred Gear.'

"Yes. There is more. I came here to ask you something." Serafall instantly  got serious. She dissolved her sailor moon uniform and pulled out the pen which appeared in her hand. She started spinning it in between her fingers.

"And that is?"

"You know that I want you to be successful. But, the problem with your dream is that it is going to be an uphill fight, a very hard one in fact.

So, you will need a good support to start your school. Someone who could guarantee its success. Either technologically or magically."

As Serafall continued her speech Sona instantly knew where it was going.

"You want it to be supported by your boyfriend? Honestly, I will take his help any time of the day. The problem is not me not wanting it, but him wanting to support me." The younger Sitri said while shrugging her shoulders.

"I doubt he will even listen to me and my dream. He doesn't look like someone who would want to listen to a girl's dreams. I could imagine him just saying something like: 'just go and build it yourself, it's not that hard'." Sona said what she imagined him saying to her.

"You are right. He would say that. But, that's where my scheme comes to play." Serafall said that with a smirk. A smirk which sends chills through Sona's spine.

"I am going to pull you into our bed activities. Devil sisters play~~~ how many humans could brag that they have fucked two devil sisters from the same pillars?" 

Sona's mouth opened as wide as possible. This was the first time hearing her sister use that word like this!

"SISTER! What are you thinking!? Are you nuts!?" The younger Sitri said with a red face. This was embarrassing to a whole nother level!

*Snort*

"We are devils, Sona. How hard is it to accept that? While we are nowhere near as bad as we were before, there are still many devils who do questionable things. And what I am offering to you is one of the best solutions you could get.

Marcus' inventions are revolutionary. And once he reveals himself to the world, there will be Goddesses from all sort of pantheons lining up to get fucked by him. That is not a joke. When I said that he humiliated Artemis, I mean it in a literal sense. He was thinking of just bringing her home to keep as a pet.

Thankfully he did not." Serafall said all of that quite seriously, which made Sona speechless. 

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can persuade him about a sisters play and then maybe a magical girls play. Which means you could dress up as someone like Sailor Summer or something~~~" The older sibling said with a cute tone.

"I don't know… this is far too sudden! I never had a boyfriend before! And now you are asking me to join you in bed!? Seriously!?" Sona said that while quickly shaking her head. This just makes too little sense to her!

"Hmm...okay~~~ think about it So-tan! He could be your lover in a sense~~~"

"More like a sugar daddy? Wait… he is the same age as me… I don't think there is a word for it…" Sona had a thoughtful look for a moment.

"...Yes, something like that. Anyways, I have to go. I will see you later So-tan! Remember to think about it! You could get the same Sacred Gear as I have! And it is powerful!" 

Sona couldn't say anything more after hearing that as Serafall disappeared with the teleportation circle.

But, she was shocked to hear that. She could get the very same gear? But, she already has a gear!

"Grrr… this is… difficult!" 

~~~~~~Marcus~~~~~~

"How long do you think it takes for a concept to go through all the governmental red tape for it to become reality?" I asked my assistant while working on the finishing touches of the maglev style trains which will be going through my railway network.

At the moment, I am having a hard time deciding on the stretch from the space centre that I am going to build to the docks in the west. I don't want everything to run underground. I mean, I want to see some landscapes. 

I am, however, thinking of the whole holographic display replacing the windows so that the train could run underground and I could see whatever I want.

[You asking me to look up this information or?]

"I am asking what you think, with all the data you have gathered at the moment." I clarified while turning a drawing into a 3d model and checking it from different angles.

As always the colours are the hardest part. I am thinking of a soft bronze with some white.

[Hmm… my guess is… around a year to go through multiple designs to select one. Then it goes through government regulations. If it's a car it has to go through road inspections and things like that.]

Waiting for a few moments, Aurora continued with her thinking. This wasn't her using 7 floors of processors but the basic output she has at the moment. This was to make sure she is not always supercharged.

[It could be from 3 to 4 years? That's me just thinking in a broad sense.]

"You are right from the basic speculations. Concept cars have to go through a broad lineup of checks up before a model is released for public usage.

The thing about this is that, It's quite different if you are not planning to sell it to the public. Capitalists love taxing anything possible. But if it's for personal use? Now that is quite different." 

I explained while remembering the cars I designed myself in my past life. Brings back some nostalgia.

"Still though…" After remembering the past for a few moments I send the design to Aurora for check-ups.

I could see my A.I going through several calculations and simulations as well as adjusting anything which might be not necessary or not possible. Not that I went with anything outlandish on this one.

[Done. I am assuming that you want to add some of the carriages which could potentially carry cargo as well? Since it will be needed in the Space centre.] 

"Indeed. What about the pressurised version?" I was curious about the possibility of that.

[Not enough data. Tests need to be run. No one builds space trains or trains underwater. I will need to test this before it can be used in those ways.]

"Hmm. True. I only wanted to find out if those could work. Then again we used boats for water and spaceships for space." I said with a shrug. I mean space trains does sound kind of cool? But then again, badass ships are always better. That's why I want to collect those shipwrecks in the first place!

[Precisely. The idea for trains is to run on a set of rails to conserve time. Not to run in the void of space or deeply underwater.]

[Nonetheless, if you want a train on something like... for example Moon or Mars then we could test this to a certain extent, the tracks should be in a pressurised tube of some sort.]

Aurora is giving me some nice ideas. I can already imagine those trains running on the surface of the red planet or our moon.

"Yes...very nice idea. Pin those down for now and run some tests on the trains before putting them on the tracks."

[Of course. Already doing it.]

I nodded at her before leaning into my comfy chair and looking around for a bit.

The majority of my workshop now is dedicated to designing. There is very little that I do by myself. The third floor underneath my workshop is purely an assembly line that creates raw materials with transmutation and assembles it into what I want.

Compared to my previous workshop which had an assembly line the size of a hall, this one is the size of a stadium.

The one which is under construction in the space centre and launch pads is going to be the size of a city block. Everything is underground and the massive lifts will take the rockets to the surface before launching them up into space.

Looking at the calendar for a bit, it was early April, and I still have a month and a half before I can start on the whole DNA upgrade.

Until then, I should think about expanding my network to the sea and start building my docks…

'Or…'

Thinking about the testing session with Sona's peerage and Aurora having a… body…

And the genetic testing I am doing…

Slowly, a couple of crazy ideas popped into my mind…

'This...this is gonna be awesome!!!'

Without wasting much of my time I quickly opened the drawing app and just waited…

Who she could look like? I did create her with a specific branch of people in mind. It was however not thinking of any specific person.

Going through an extensive list of hot 2D babes in my head.

My eyes widened for a second as I remembered a certain virtual reality game… a franchise quite annoying after the first season…

But, it has quite beautiful characters… female characters.

Remembering a certain administrator...

"Oh yes...you will definitely fit that character! Like a glove!" I said while realising that Aurora was built to look like that girl! Most certainly!

Quickly I started drawing… trying to remember each and every detail of the girl. For the first time since I got the workshop, I had to erase my design countless times since I found myself dissatisfied with the looks.

The more I worked on it, the more I remembered how she looked.

Her eyes and hair will mostly be silver but it will have a reflective effect which will also affect her hair depending on the surroundings.

The clothes, at least for the official design, will be the original ones that I remember from the anime and the pictures.

Then, once the picture was done I pulled it into a 3d image.

[Who is she?] Aurora asked me neutrally, I could feel some… fear? trepidation? In her tone even if she tried to hide it, she was so human now.

"That's… your avatar? Or more like a physical body? I call it the Biological Assistant Model: Quinella."

[...That's me…] the 3d image started to spin. Assuming several stances. I could only smirk internally because she was going through several Quinella-like expressions and stances. Annoyance, arrogant smirk, a seductive smile, and stances like playing with her long hair. Or sitting elegantly on a chair.

There was none of my input in this.

"Do you like it?" I asked her. 

[Very… can I assume this form?] She asked, nearly pleaded.

"Sure."

Without wasting any more time. The polygons started to gather next to the 3D image of Quinella.

Seconds later and I could now properly see her. My eyes slightly widened just because of how good she looked. In other words, she was a beauty. Something akin to a butterfly in a human form. At the moment her hair was pure silver with some purple which comes from her clothes.

"Well, what do you think?" I asked after getting a hold of myself.

[This was created by you, my creator. Naturally, it's perfect. Anything you do is perfect in my eyes. So, this body is perfect for me, and I like it.] She said that while looking at her hand. Before moving her gaze towards me and giving me a coy smile.

[Knowing you. There is a 99.97% chance you are going to make this form flesh and blood. But, until then may I use this hologram form?] She asked again with a pleading look. It looked quite hot… on Quinella's face…

"Sure thing… I don't see a reason why not." I shrugged at her trying to fight this one down in the gut.

[YES! I Mean, yes!] For a moment, she lost her cool and behaved very childishly but then quickly got herself together.

Without wasting any time she walked over and pulled me into a hug.

I could feel the warmth her projection emulated. This was a very impressive piece of tech. Not that I created it so that I could make a 2D girl become 3D. 

Well, there was that idea, but more or less the majority of it was for running test simulation…most likely...probably...

Nonetheless, now, however, I want to make this one into a real person…

Before long I pulled back the 3D image of Quinella and created the project with the name Project Biological Assistant: Quinella. The hologram of Aurora Quinella just watched from the side with a bright smile the whole way. 

She would just lean back at the table, partially sitting on it and looking all pretty for me. The best part is that she doesn't even need to do anything physically because she is assisting me either way already as she is an A.I 

[Master, we should get over those DNA samples the younger Sitri sent over.] Quinella said to me while playing with her long hair.

"Hmm right, she did send it over. Assuming you decoded it?"

[Naturally… here it is]

She answered in the affirmative while using her hands to motion a holographic image of the DNA strand to appear.

[This Stray Devil is a treasure trove, DNA wise. Either Ajuka Beelzebub is an idiot or he is a genius, I do not know but with his Evil Pieces. You see, Master, when the Stray gets loose he gets separated from the King piece's influence and the Evil Piece truly becomes an Evil piece. The devil desires get loose and they start mutating according to their loose desires.] 

The beautiful assistant of mine changed the hologram of the DNA strand to a base reincarnated devil one, before showing it how it changes.

[This unique sample showed me how a reincarnated devil breaks its physical limits. Something we have not seen before. But this sample is key for us to break the boundaries of human limitations.]

Once again the DNA strand started to spin and with her finger she motions for it to stop and pointed at a specific middle piece.

[This here governs the limitations to the DNA's build-up. Previously, I thought it only holds everything together, which it does. But at the same time it also governs how it can break the limits and evolve with outside interference.] 

[What I learned from this sample is fascinating and it allowed me to discover much more than ever before. It was wise for you to hold back that alteration because it might have some unforeseen side effects because of a lack of data.] She said while gently stroking my cheek with some affection.

"I see… although it's the same thing but from a different angle, it has a different reaction to the same DNA. I assume you started implementing this idea and re-decoding everything?" I asked her while enjoying the fruits of my labour which is Quinella herself stroking my cheek.

[Already on its way. You will have much more data soon enough.] The beauty said with a smile.

"Good. I will eagerly await the results…" I nodded to her as I returned to my reading on genetic data while Quinella returned to her 'standby' which is to lean on the table and look pretty.

Not gonna lie she is very much distracting…

Which ended up with me pulling her into my lap…

"I don't remember programming you to tease me."

[Part of female protocol. Master, there is no need to lie to yourself. And when I fully become Quinella that protocol shall expand even further…] She said that while getting comfortable in my lap.

I could only roll my eyes, this woman, knowing full well that she doesn't feel anything being a hologram and all, still continues to play the part…

~~~~~~Next Day~~~~~~

Not gonna lie. When Quinella reminded me of Ajuka's genius I had the urge to summon him once again. 

And that's why I have drawn the circle of Astaroth and was ready to summon my third pillar. 

This is a good time to use my newly expanded Ritual room.

Next to me was my assistant. She had her arms crossed and looked at me working on the summoning circle. One thing for sure is that I will be doing the circle myself. There is that satisfaction of doing something supernatural like summoning a familiar by myself.

*Sigh*

[you could have at least allowed us to do the grunt work, master.] Quinella said with a sigh.

"Nope. It's fine." I was on my knees with a piece of white chalk.

[You created perpetual energy, reinvented and upgraded gears created by Biblical God. Created me… and now you are doing this?] The beauty next to me said with a sort of disbelief.

"Indeed. And I love those human protocols you have." I said while continuing with my drawing.

[*Hmph!*]

[I am only doing what you programmed me to do!] She said with a huff while looking away.

"I know, that's why I am satisfied with your behaviour."

She huffed once more while crossing her arms, amplifying her breasts size. While I should be paying more attention to the circle instead of the hot silver-haired sadistic girl.

Shaking my head for a bit I returned to my drawing.

Sometime later I was done with it. Taking a deep breath, I started the chant.

"By the covenant drawn between God and the Human King!

For punishment against humankind! 72 Pillars of Lucifer shall be punished by the power of Ars Goetia!

Come forth Pillar of Duke Astaroth! By the Will of Ars Goetia, you shall be bound to a King of Man!"

The circle glowed, consuming the whole room with a bright light.

Several purple barriers appeared around us. It was Quinella's automatic defensive protocol in action.

[Master...last time I checked… Ajuka Beelzebub was a male.]

"That would be my uncle, I am Letia Astaroth." A melodious voice said from the circle.

My eyes readjusted and I was able to see who I summoned. It was a drop-dead gorgeous blonde beauty with blue tips on her hair, it's unique to say the least. She had a borderline supernatural air around her. Showing that she was in truth a devil.

"May I know what is happening? Why was I summoned? More precisely kidnapped?" She asked with some nervousness as she already noticed changes to herself.

[You have been summoned by what the Devils are calling the second coming of Solomon. The very same person who is the mysterious lover of the current Leviathan.

My master and creator and a man who succeeded in creating sacred gears superior to the ones created by Biblical God.

His name is Marcus Goldman.] 

I looked at Quinella with an amused look after hearing that speech.

"You practised that in front of the mirror?"

[I did.]

"Wait! For real!?" 

[I can't lie to you. Basic protocol Master.] She said with an eye roll.

"Right… it was more like a reflective action since you are a person at the moment." I shook my head forgetting for a moment that it is an A.I…

Damn, guess my work is becoming this good…

My gaze returned to the blonde bombshell standing there with wide eyes. She was paler than paper.

"This...this has to be a dream! Solomon didn't have any successors! This is nonsense!" She said that while shaking her head.

"Heh, well then, why don't you come over?" I asked with a smirk. The purple barriers disappeared, as I took a step forward.

Her eyes grew big to astronomical levels as she started elegantly walking forward towards me.

"T-This the Ars Goetia? I can't resist it! It's like my body has a consciousness of its own!" She exclaimed while walking forward, and a few steps later she was in front of me.

The first thing I would want to do with such beauty is obviously to get to know her. On several different levels. 

Now that I think about it, she is quite a good choice even though I didn't get Ajuka. I got someone who could be my middle man to solve the issue with getting some land legitimately, and govern it too.

But, before I can do that, I will have some fun.

Walking behind her and wrapping my hands around her waist I hugged her from behind. The beauty was quite honestly shaking in fear. And from the gaze Quinella was sending to the girl one could see that she is enjoying the fear this girl was experiencing.

"Indeed. Do you still not believe that I am his successor?" I asked her softly and she was having goosebumps travelling through her whole body.

It is quite something else when a human can terrify a devil this much!

"Let's start with something simple and a little bit personal~~~" I said with a happy tone which only terrified her more.

"What is the naughtiest thing you've ever done?" I asked curiously. After all, this was a real ojou-sama we were talking about!

"...I have a collection of literature with some questionable… plotlines…" She said with an extremely embarrassed tone. I could see her ears turning red.

"Oh… smut novels… very interesting… Well, do you need some more proof?" I asked her, enjoying her warm devilish body and the slightly jealous looks from Quinella.

"No. I am fine. I believe you. I believed you the moment you told me to walk forward. There is no need to ask such personal questions from a lady!" She said with an angry huff.

It was the most anger she could produce with the Ars Goetia binding.

"I needed to make sure you understood that it was the real deal," I said that as an excuse to know her naughtiness level. After all, I knew very little of this beautiful lady.

"Now I know it's real. Now that I am bonded for life with you, what are you going to do to me?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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